Telesupervision Benefits for Placements: Allied Health Students’ and Supervisors’ Perceptions

Authors

  • Srivalli Nagarajan The University of Sydney
  • Lindy McAllister The University of Sydney
  • LuAnne McFarlane The University of Alberta
  • Mark Hall The University of Alberta
  • Corilie Schmitz The University of Alberta
  • Robin Roots University of British Columbia
  • Donna Drynan University of British Columbia
  • Lisa Avery University of British Columbia
  • Sue Murphy University of British Columbia
  • Mary Lam The University of Sydney

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v4i1.326

Keywords:

allied health, placements, telesupervision, telesupport

Abstract

Telesupervision (TS) uses Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for communication between university-based staff, clinical supervisors and students undertaking placements in the presence or absence of a clinical supervisor onsite. Despite examples of successful implementation (Carlin 2012, Chipchase et al. 2014, Dudding and Justice 2004, Hall 2013) there has been minimal uptake of TS in allied health. This study investigated students’ and clinical educators’ perceptions of the potential benefits and barriers of TS using readily accessible ICT during placements. During 2014-2015, telesupervision/telesupport was provided to a total of 54 Undergraduate and Graduate Entry Masters students from Speech Language Pathology (SLP), Occupational therapy (OT) and Physical therapy (PT) programs at one Australian and two Canadian universities and Exercise Physiology (EP) students at the Australian university. After receipt of TS, 39 students completed an online survey. Nine participating university-based clinical education coordinators (CECs) were interviewed about their experiences. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Students valued regular TS contact/communication with their CEC to discuss challenges that arose during their placements. CECs believed students benefitted from the opportunities to discuss their placement experiences through TS sessions used for direct supervision and/or for complementing onsite supervision. Students used TS sessions to debrief and reflect on their placement experiences. CECs gained a better understanding of the students’ placement experiences. TS has the potential to develop greater connection between students and CECs and enhance student and supervisor experience of clinical education.

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Published

2016-07-15

How to Cite

Nagarajan, S., McAllister, L., McFarlane, L., Hall, M., Schmitz, C., Roots, R., Drynan, D., Avery, L., Murphy, S., & Lam, M. (2016). Telesupervision Benefits for Placements: Allied Health Students’ and Supervisors’ Perceptions. International Journal of Practice-Based Learning in Health and Social Care, 4(1), 16–27. https://doi.org/10.18552/ijpblhsc.v4i1.326

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2016): International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care

Section

Research Articles

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